Communicating with a tool

ABSTRACT

A system includes a user interface device that is capable of communicating wirelessly with a tool. In one example arrangement, the tool can be a well tool or a tool having one or more explosive components. The user interface device is adapted to send commands to the tool to perform tasks, such as test operations. In one arrangement, the user interface device is a personal digital assistant (PDA) having a graphical user interface (GUI).

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Ser. No. 09/179,507, filedOct. 27, 1998.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The invention relates to communicating with a tool.

BACKGROUND

[0003] To complete a well, one or more sets of perforations may becreated downhole using perforating guns. Such perforations allow fluidfrom producing zones to flow into the wellbore for production to thesurface. To create perforations in multiple reservoirs or in multiplesections of a reservoir, multi-gun strings are typically used. Amulti-gun string may be lowered to a first position to fire a first gunor bank of guns, then moved to a second position to fire a second gun orbank of guns, and so forth.

[0004] Selectable switches are used to control the firing sequence ofthe guns in the string. Simple devices include dual diode switches fortwo-gun systems and percussion actuated mechanical switches or contactsfor multi-gun systems. A percussion actuated mechanical switch isactivated by the force from a detonation. Guns are sequentially armedstarting from the lowest gun, using the force of the detonation to set aswitch to complete the circuit to the gun above and to break connectionto the gun below. The switches are used to step through the guns orcharges from the bottom up to select which gun or charge to fire. Somesystems allow certain of the switches to be bypassed if failure occurs.

[0005] Other operations can also be performed in a well with other typesof tools. As tools become more technologically sophisticated, electroniccomponents are added. To date, however, a convenient and flexible devicehas conventionally not been provided to communicate with or to test thevarious types of tools.

SUMMARY

[0006] In general, according to one embodiment, a system comprises auser interface device and a tool selected from the group consisting of awell tool and a tool containing one or more explosive components. Theuser interface device is adapted to communicate wirelessly with thetool.

[0007] In general, according to another embodiment, a system for testinga tool includes a user interface device and a test system adapted to becoupled to the tool. The user interface device is adapted to communicatewirelessly with the test system and to send commands to the test systemfor testing the tool.

[0008] Other or alternative features will become apparent from thefollowing description, from the drawings, and from the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example system including a tool stringand a surface system.

[0010]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a tester system useable in the systemof FIG. 1.

[0011]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a tester box that is part of thetester system of FIG. 2.

[0012]FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control system used in the toolstring of FIG. 1.

[0013]FIG. 5 illustrates types of data stored in the control system ofFIG. 4.

[0014]FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a test sequence in accordance with anembodiment.

[0015] FIGS. 7-16 illustrate graphical user interface screensdisplayable by a user interface device in the tester system of FIG. 2.

[0016]FIG. 17 is a flow diagram of a general sequence for operating atool.

[0017]FIG. 18 is a block diagram of components in the user interfacedevice.

[0018] FIGS. 19-22 are flow diagrams of processes performed by the userinterface device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] In the following description, numerous details are set forth toprovide an understanding of the present invention. However, it will beunderstood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may bepracticed without these details and that numerous variations ormodifications from the described embodiments may be possible.

[0020] As used here, the terms “up” and “down”; “upper” and “lower”;“upwardly” and downwardly”; “below” and “above”; and other like termsindicating relative positions above or below a given point or elementare used in this description to more clearly describe some embodimentsof the invention. However, when applied to equipment and methods for usein wells that are deviated or horizontal, or when applied to equipmentand methods that when arranged in a well are in a deviated or horizontalorientation, such terms may refer to a left to right, right to left, orother relationships as appropriate.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 1, a perforating system 10 according to anembodiment of the invention for use in a well is illustrated. Note thatthe arrangement shown in FIG. 1 is an operational arrangement of theperforating system 10 in which detonating devices 22A, 22B, and 22C areincluded. A larger or smaller number of devices can be used in otherembodiments. As described further below, in a test arrangement, thedetonating devices 22A, 22B, and 22C are not necessarily included in theperforating system 10. In some arrangements, the detonating devices areleft out, while in other arrangements, the detonating devices are leftin the perforating system 10.

[0022] The perforating system 10 in the illustrated embodiment includesa multi-gun string having a control system that includes multiplecontrol units 14A-14C to control activation of guns or charges in thestring. Each control unit 14 may be coupled to switches 16 and 18(illustrated as 16A-16C and 18A-18C). Cable switches 18A-18C arecontrollable by the control units 14A-14C, respectively, between on andoff positions to enable or disable current flow through one or moreelectrical cables 64 (which may be located in a wireline or coiledtubing, for example) to successive control units.

[0023] The detonating switches 16A-16C are each coupled to a respectivedetonating device 22 (illustrated as 22A-22C) that may be found in aperforating gun, for example. The detonating device 22 may be anelectro-explosive device (EED) detonator (e.g., an explosive foilinitiator (EFI) detonator, exploding bridgewire (EBW) detonator,semiconductor bridge detonator, a hot-wire detonator, etc.), or othertype of detonator coupled to initiate a detonating cord to fire shapedcharges or other explosive devices in the perforating gun. If activatedto an on position, a switch 16 allows electrical current to flow to acoupled detonating device 22.

[0024] Although described in the context of a perforating gun, otherembodiments include other types of tools for performing other operationsin a wellbore. Such other tools can also have multiple switches forcontrolling multiple devices, for example, a release head, core samplingtool, and so forth.

[0025] In the illustrated embodiment, the cable switch 18A controlscurrent flow to the control unit 14B, and the cable switch 18B controlscurrent flow to the control unit 14C.

[0026] The one or more electrical cables 64 extend through a wireline,coiled tubing, or other carrier to surface equipment. The surfaceequipment includes a surface system 32, which can either be a testersystem (for testing the perforating system 10) or an activation system(to activate the perforating system 10 during well operations). A testersystem is described further below. An activation system is configurableby tool activation software to issue commands to the perforating system10 to set up and to selectively activate one or more of the controlunits 14.

[0027] Bi-directional electrical communication (by digital signals orseries of tones, for example) between the surface system 32 and controlunits can occur over the one or more of the electrical cables 64.

[0028] In one embodiment of the invention, each control unit 14 may beassigned an address by the surface system 32 during systeminitialization or testing. In other embodiments, the control units 14may be hard coded with pre-assigned addresses or precoded duringassembly. Additional information may be coded into the control units,including the type of device, order number, run number, and otherinformation.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 2, an arrangement of the surface system 32 thatincludes a tester box 60 and a portable user interface device 50 isillustrated. This arrangement is used to test the components of a toolunder test 62 (e.g., the perforating system 10). The tester box 60 iscoupled to the tool under test 62 over the electrical cable 64. Notethat during testing, the tool under test 62 can be located at thesurface, such as in a test facility, laboratory, and so forth.Alternatively, the tool under test 62 is located downhole in a wellbore.

[0030] The tester box 60 includes a communications port 54 that iscapable of performing wireless communications with a corresponding port52 on the portable user interface device 50. In one embodiment, thecommunications ports 52 and 54 are capable of performing infrared (IR)communications. In an alternative embodiment, radio frequency (RF) orother forms of wireless communications are performed between theportable user interface device 50 and the tester box 60. Such wirelesscommunications occur over a wireless link between the user interfacedevice 50 and the tester box 60. In yet another arrangement, a wiredconnection is provided between the user interface device 50 and thetester box 60.

[0031] One example of the user interface device 50 is a portable digitalassistant (PDA), such as PALM™ devices, WINDOWS® CE devices, or otherlike devices. Alternatively, the user interface device 50 can be alaptop computer. The user interface device 50 includes a display 56 fordisplaying information to the user. In one embodiment, various graphicaluser interface (GUI) elements 58 (e.g., windows, screens, icons, menus,etc.) are provided in the display 56. The GUI elements include controlelements, such as menu items or icons that are selectable by the user toperform various acts. The GUI elements 58 also include display boxes orfields in which information pertaining to the tool under test 62 isdisplayed to the user.

[0032] A benefit of using the user interface device 50 is that a customuser interface can be developed relatively conveniently. The userinterface is provided by application software loaded onto the userinterface device 50. For example, if the user interface device 50includes a WINDOWS® CE operating system, then software applicationscompatible with WINDOWS® CE can be developed and loaded onto the userinterface device 50. By using an off-the-shelf user interface device 50,special-purpose hardware devices for testing the tool under test 62 canbe avoided. By using the user interface device 50, flexibility isenhanced since application software can be quickly modified to suit theneeds of users.

[0033] Also, due to safety regulations, a user interface device that isrelatively small in size can be easily encapsulated in an outer cover ormembrane. The outer cover or membrane is used to control (that is,reduce) discharge of static electricity, or other electrical impulse,which can pose a safety hazard at a wellsite.

[0034] In response to user selection of various GUI elements 58, theuser interface device 50 sends commands to the tester box 60 through thewireless communications ports 52 and 54. The commands cause certaintasks to be performed by control logic in the tester box 60. Among theactions taken by the tester box 60 is the transmission of signals overthe cable 64 to test the components of the tool under test 62. Feedbackregarding the test is communicated back to the tester box 60, which inturn communicates data over the wireless medium to the user interfacedevice 50, where the information is presented in the display 56.

[0035] In other arrangements, the user interface device 50 can be usedfor tasks other than testing tasks. For example, instead of a tool undertest, element 62 of FIG. 2 can be an actual tool ready to perform adownhole operation. Also, instead of a tester box, the element 60 ofFIG. 2 can be an activation system. In these arrangements, the userinterface device 50 sends commands to the activation system foractivating the tool in response to user selections received at the userinterface device 50. In one example, the activated tool is a well toolfor performing various well operations (e.g., logging, perforating,production, flow control, measuring, etc.). A “well tool” also refers toany tool or system that can be used at the well surface (e.g., controlsystem at a well site, and so forth). In another example, the activatedtool includes a tool having one or more explosive elements for varioustypes of applications (e.g., well perforating, mining, seismicacquisition, core sampling, surface demolition, armaments, and soforth).

[0036]FIG. 3 shows one example arrangement of components in the testerbox 60. A controller in the tester box 60 is implemented as amicrocontroller 100. The microcontroller 100 is preprogrammed to performcertain tasks in response to various stimuli (e.g., commands receivedfrom the user interface device through a transceiver 102). In oneembodiment, the transceiver 102 is an IR transceiver to receive IRsignals. Alternatively, the transceiver 102 can be other types oftransceivers, such as RF transceivers and so forth.

[0037] In one example arrangement, the microcontroller 100 is alsoconnected to a light emitting diode (LED) driver 104 that is connectedto one or more LEDs 105. The LEDs are provided as indicators to the userof various events (active power, low battery, over-current detection,and other activities) going on in the tester box 60.

[0038] Power to the tester box 60 is provided by a power supply 106.Note that the power supply 106, although shown as a single component,can actually be implemented as plural components to provide differentpower supply voltage levels as needed by the circuitry of the tester box60. The power supply 106 is connected to a power control circuit 108,which causes activation or deactivation of the power supply 106. Thepower control circuit 108 is connected to a button 110, which can beactivated by the user to turn the tester box 60 on or off. Also, anautomatic timeout feature can be included to shut off power after someperiod of inactivity.

[0039] Alternatively, instead of a button 110, the power control circuit108 is connected to a detector (not shown) that is able to detect anexternal stimulus. For example, the detector can be an optical detectorto detect for the presence of a bar code (such as a bar code on thebadge of an authorized user). Other types of detectors can be used inother embodiments. Such other detectors include components to interactwith a “smart” card, which is basically a card with an embeddedprocessor and storage. Alternatively, another type of detector includesa radio frequency (RF) or other wireless detector to communicate with anexternal device.

[0040] Security can be provided by at the user interface device byrequiring input of a password before access is granted to the userinterface device. For example, the user interface device has a field toaccept and receive a user-input password. Alternatively, the userinterface device may be configured to have a component to detect a smartcard so that access is granted only in response to detection of thesmart card of an authorized user. With the password or smart cardarrangement, a hierarchy of security levels can be provided, with anengineer having a higher level of access (access to more features) thana technician, for example. Only an authorized user interface device isable to interact or communicate with the safety box.

[0041] The power supply 106 is connected through current limit devices112 and 114. For added safety and redundancy, two current limit devices112 and 114 are used. The current limit devices 112 and 114 are designedto limit the maximum current that can be passed to the tool under test62 over the electrical cable 64. In one example, the maximum currentthat can be passed through each of the current limit devices 112 and 114is 25 milliamps (mA). However, in other embodiments, other currentlimits can be set.

[0042] The output of the current limit device 114 is connected to aswitch 116, which controls whether the output of the current limitdevice 114 is connected to one input of a current viewing resistor 118.The cable switch 116 is controlled by the microcontroller 100. In oneembodiment, the microcontroller 100 does not close the switch 116 untilthe microcontroller 100 has determined that current levels are withinpredefined limits. Assuming the switch 116 is closed, current flows fromthe current limit device 114 through the current viewing resistor 118and an optional fuse 120 to the cable 64. The fuse 120 is an optionaladded safety element for limiting the maximum current that can flow tothe cable 64. If the current exceeds a maximum threshold, then the fuse120 will blow to prevent accidental activation of the tool under test62. This is particularly beneficial if the tool under test 62 canpotentially include explosive devices that may have been left in thetool inadvertently. By limiting the current to a level below that neededto activate the explosive devices, safety is enhanced.

[0043] An uplink receive and current detect circuit 122 is connected tothe current viewing resistor 118. Current passing through the currentviewing resistor 118 causes a voltage to be developed across theresistor. This voltage is converted by an amplifier in the currentdetect circuit 122 to a voltage level provided to the microcontroller100. Based on the received voltage level, the microcontroller 100 isable to calculate the amount of current passed through the currentviewing resistor 118.

[0044] The microcontroller 100 is also connected to a driver 124, whoseoutput is connected through the fuse 120 to the cable 64. The driver 124drives coded signals down the cable 64 to perform various testoperations.

[0045] Circuitry in the tool under test 62 in accordance with oneexample embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 4. The circuitry includes thecontrol unit 14, which contains a microcontroller 200 programmed toperform various tasks. Note that the tool under test 62 may includemultiple control units 14, as shown in FIG. 1. The microcontroller 200is connected to a receiver circuit 202, which receives signals over aline 204. The signals received by the receiver circuit 202 includecommands from the tester system 32 for activating the microcontroller200 to perform test operations. The line 204 in one example arrangementis the ground line.

[0046] Another line 206 is connected to one side of the cable switch 18,with the other side of the cable switch 18 connected to another line208. When the cable switch 18 is opened, the lines 206 and 208 (whichare portions of the cable 64) are isolated. The cable switch 18 iscontrolled by the microcontroller 200. When activated to a closedposition by the microcontroller 200, the cable switch 18 electricallyconnects the lines 206 and 208.

[0047] The microcontroller 200 also controls activation of the detonatorswitch 16, which includes an arm switch 210 and a fire switch 212. Thearm switch 210 is controlled by a signal from the microcontroller 200,while the fire switch 212 is controlled by a signal from a charge pump214. The input of the charge pump 214 is connected to an output of themicrocontroller 200. The charge pump 214 is designed to increase thevoltage of the signal output provided by the microcontroller 200 so thatan increased voltage level is provided to the fire switch 212. In analternative embodiment, the increased voltage level is provided directlyfrom the microcontroller 200. In yet another embodiment, the fire switch212 is activated by the same voltage level as the arm switch 210. As yetanother alternative, only one switch (instead of two switches 210 and212) is used.

[0048] The switch 16 is connected to the detonator device 22 through adiode 216. When the arm switch 210 and fire switch 212 are both closed,a current path is provided between lines 204 and 206. If a sufficientvoltage difference exists between lines 204 and 206, then the detonatordevice 22 is activated.

[0049] As noted above, in a test arrangement, the detonator device 22may be removed. In place of the detonator device 22 is a short circuitconnection 218.

[0050] Power to the control unit 14 is provided by a power supply 220.The power supply 220 outputs supply voltages to the various componentsof the control unit 14. Also included in the control unit 14 is anuplink control loop 222, which is designed to sink a predeterminedamount of current. One purpose of the uplink current loop 222 is toenable a predetermined amount of current to be induced in the line 206when the control unit 14 is connected to the cable 64 so that the testerbox 60 is able to detect that a control unit load has been added to thecable 64. This is useful for testing whether cable switches 18 areoperational in connecting the control unit 14 to the cable 64. Thus, ifa cable switch 18 has been activated closed, but it has failed to do sodue to a defect, then the additional current load from the next controlunit 14 in the tool under test 62 will not be present on the cable 64.

[0051] Another purpose of the uplink current loop 222 is to modulate thecurrent level on the cable 64 based on a data pattern provided by themicrocontroller 200. The variation in current level provides a codedsignal in the uplink direction to the test box 60.

[0052] In one embodiment, the microcontroller 200 includes a storage 201to store information. For example, as further shown in FIG. 5, thestorage 201 contains the following information: an address (or otheridentifier) 250 of the control unit 14; a device type 252 to indicatethe type of device; and an authorization code 254 which has to bereceived from the surface system 32 before the control unit 14 isenabled for activation. If a code matching the authorization code 254 isnot received by the control unit 14, then the control unit 14 remainsdisabled and cannot be activated. Note, however, that this authorizationfeature is optional and can be omitted in some embodiments of theinvention. The storage 201 also contains status information 256, whichpertains to a status of the microcontroller 200. Also, the storage 201contains information 258 pertaining to positions of switches 210, 212,and 218. In addition, the storage 201 contains information 259pertaining to current flow difference so the presence or absence ofadditional devices as they are added to the cable 64 can be detected, aswell as the absence or presence of detonating devices.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 6, a flow diagram is shown of a test sequencein accordance with an embodiment. In response to commands from the userinterface device 50, the tester box 60 sends a wake event (at 302) downthe electrical cable 64 to a control unit 14. In one embodiment, theuppermost control unit is the first to receive this wake event. Inresponse to the wake event, the control unit provides feedback to thetester box. By virtue of this two-way communication, if the properaddress and current levels are detected, then the cable switch is turnedon, completing an electrical path to the next control unit. This processis iteratively performed until all control units 14 in the multi-toolstring have been initialized. Note that during the test sequence, thetool under test is not necessarily located downhole, but can be at thesurface (such as in a lab or other test environment).

[0054] The wake event is first transmitted to a control unit I, where Iis initially set to the value 1 to represent the upper control unit.Whether the control unit I responds or not to the wake event is part ofthe power-up test. If the control unit I does not respond, then it hasfailed the power-up test. The tester box 60 (or user interface device50) notes whether each of the control units have passed or failed thepower-up test. The tester box 60 (under control of the user interfacedevice 50) next interrogates (at 304) the control unit I to determineits address, positions of switches 16 and 18, and the status of themicrocontroller 100. This is performed by reading the content of thestorage 201 (FIG. 4).

[0055] Optionally, the tester box 60 (under control of the userinterface device 50) is able to assign (at 306) an address to thecontrol unit I if the control unit I has not yet been assigned anaddress. The address of the control unit I is communicated to the userinterface device 50 for storage in an address log 506 (FIG. 18). Thetesting of the switches is next performed. First, the arm switch 210 isturned on (at 308), with the fire switch 212 turned off. The electricalcurrent level is detected (at 310) by the test box 60. If a short ispresent in the first switch 212, then a current path exists between thelines 204 and 206, and a substantial amount of current will be detectedby the test box 60. Whether a short in the fire switch 212 is present ornot is communicated to the user interface device 50.

[0056] Next, the arm switch is turned off (at 312), and the fire switch212 is turned on. This is to detect if a short exists in the arm switch210, which is accomplished by detecting (at 314) the current level inthe cable 64. Whether a short is present or not in the arm switch 210 iscommunicated to the user interface device 50. In some tests, both thearm switch 210 and fire switch 212 can be turned on to detect for thepresence of a detonating device. If the detonating device is present,then a first current level is detected. If the detonating device isabsent, then a different current level is detected.

[0057] In addition to detecting shorts, the test box 60 can alsodetermine if wires have been mis-connected. Mis-wiring will causeun-expected amounts of current to be detected by the test box 60.

[0058] Next, both the arm switch 210 and fire switch 212 are turned off,and the cable switch 18 is turned on (at 316). A predetermined increasein current is expected in response to activation of the cable switch 18.The increase in current is due to the additional load expected byaddition of the next control unit I+1. The increase in current isdetected by the tester box 60 (at 318). If the expected increase incurrent is not detected, then the cable switch 18 is deemed to beinoperational. The operational status of the cable switch 18 iscommunicated to the user interface device 50. The status of the switches16 and 18 are stored in a switch status log 508 (FIG. 18) in the userinterface device 50.

[0059] The tester box 60 then determines if the end of the multi-toolstring has been reached (at 320). If not, the value of I is incremented(at 322), and the next control unit I is tested (302-318). If the end ofthe multi-tool string has been reached (as determined at 320), then thetest is completed.

[0060] In one example embodiment, FIG. 7 shows a GUI window 400displayed in the display 56 of the user interface device 50. At thelower end of the GUI window 400 are several menus, including a Guns menu402 and a Test menu 404. In the screen shot shown in FIG. 7, the Gunsmenu is selected so that a frame 406 is displayed that includes a Newmenu item, a Load menu item, and a Delete menu item.

[0061] When activated, the New menu item causes the display of a blankgun string screen 408, as shown in FIG. 8. However, if the Load menuitem is selected, then a dialog box is presented (not shown) in which auser can enter or select a file from which gun string information can beloaded. Activation of the Delete menu item causes a dialog box to bepresented (not shown) to select a gun string file to delete.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 9, activation of the Test menu 404 causes aframe 410 to be displayed. The Test menu frame 410 includes a View menuitem and a Delete menu item. When activated, the View menu item opens adialog box to select a test results file and causes the display of atest results screen to display the content of the test results file.When activated, the Delete menu item opens a dialog box to select a testresults file to delete.

[0063] As noted above, FIG. 8 shows the gun string screen 408, whichincludes various display boxes. A GunStringID display box allows a userto enter an identifier of a specific gun string. More generally,GunStringID refers to any type of an identifier of tool. At a well site,many tools may be maintained. Unique identifiers are assigned to each ofthe tools so that inventory control is made possible. In addition to theGunStringID display, other display boxes allow information to bedisplayed regarding components in the tool under test. If the tool undertest is a perforating gun string, then plural control units may bepresent in the gun string. Each display box (labeled 1-20) correspondsto a respective control unit.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 10, a user has entered a GunStringID in theGunStringID display box. A dialog screen 412 is displayed to warn theuser to verify that no detonators are connected to the gun string. TheOK button is pressed by the user upon verification.

[0065] Next, as shown in FIG. 11, another dialog screen 414 is presentedto instruct the user to align the ports 52 and 54 (FIG. 2) of the userinterface device 50 and the tester box 60. Alignment is necessary whenthe wireless communications medium is an infrared medium. Alignment maynot be necessary if radio frequency (RF) signaling is used. Once theports 52 and 54 are aligned, the user selects the OK button in thedialog screen 414.

[0066] This starts the test operation discussed above. A status screen416 is displayed, as shown in FIG. 12. A Cancel button is provided toenable the user to cancel the test operation if desired.

[0067] When testing is complete, a screen 418 is displayed, as shown inFIG. 13. The user is instructed to enter the starting gun number in afield 420, the operator name in a field 422, a test location in a field424, and a note in a field 426. In accordance with one embodiment of theinvention, a keyboard 428 is displayed in the screen 418 to enable theuser to conveniently enter information in the fields 420, 422, 424 and426.

[0068] Next, as shown in FIG. 14, a Test View screen 430 is displayed.The addresses associated with the various control units in the gunstring are displayed. As further shown in FIG. 14, a control unit 14having identifier 120E is selected by the user to find out moreinformation pertaining to the control unit. The information about theselected control unit is displayed in a screen 432 shown in FIG. 15. Inthe screen 432, the gun address is provided, along with a pass/failstatus. In the example of FIG. 15, the control unit with address 120Ehas failed. The address of the failed control unit is highlighted (e.g.,with a different color or some other indication). The screen 432 showswhether the power-up status has passed, whether the cable switch 18 haspassed, and whether the detonation circuitry (including the detonatorswitch 16) has passed. In the example of FIG. 14, the detonationcircuitry is indicated as being failed. A box 434 displays a messageindicating failure of the detonation circuitry.

[0069]FIG. 16 shows a dialog screen 436 that allows the user to save thetest. This allows a user to later access the test results for display.Also, the saved test results can be communicated to another system (suchas to another user).

[0070]FIG. 17 shows a general process in accordance with an embodimentof the invention. As inventory is received at a storage facility, anidentifier of the inventory is determined (at 402). In one embodiment,the identifier of the inventory is scanned with a scanner module 51(FIG. 2) that is attached to the user interface device 50. In oneembodiment, each component has a bar code associated with it. The barcode is scanned in by the scanner module 51 (as noted above). In somecases, the bar code of each control unit 14 can also be used as theaddress of the control unit 14. The bar codes of the various componentsmay be easily scanned while the components are still in their container.Alternatively, each component can include an RF transceiver to interactwith a scanner module that also includes an RF transceiver. The RFtransceivers are able to communicate with each other without thecontainer even having to be opened. This enables even more convenientscanning of identifiers of the components.

[0071] In another embodiment, another method of determining theidentifier of the inventory can be performed. For example, the user canmanually enter the serial number or other identifier of the inventoryinto the user interface device 50.

[0072] In one example, the inventory includes explosive components, suchas detonator devices 22 (FIG. 1) and associated control units 14 andswitches 16 and 18. In other examples, other types of inventory areinvolved. Generally, the “inventory” considered here includes componentsof various types of tools.

[0073] An identifier of the inventory, along with the description of theinventory, is stored (at 404) in an inventory record 510 (FIG. 18) inthe user interface device 50. It may be desired to move the inventoryaround for performing various tasks. For example, if the inventoryincludes explosive components, control units, and switches for aperforating tool, the components may be transferred to a gun shop forloading. In this case, the identifier of the transferred inventory isdetermined (at 406), such as with the scanner module 51, and a transferrecord is updated (at 408). The transfer record is stored in the userinterface device as 512 (FIG. 18).

[0074] As explosive components are loaded into each gun, the loadedcomponents are identified (at 410), such as with the scanner module 51.A loaded gun inventory record (or gun string file) 514 (FIG. 18) isupdated (at 412) to indicate what components are in each gun. Also, agun identifier record 516 (FIG. 18) is updated (at 414) to record theguns that have been made up at a particular site.

[0075] Next, the control units in each gun are tested (at 416) using thetester system described above. Note that the detonator device 22 may beleft out of the tool string during testing. The results of the test arestored in the user interface device 50. After successful testing, thegun(s) are transported to a well site with a hard and/or soft copy ofthe loaded gun inventory record 514, gun string file, and gun test file.Next, an operational check is performed at the well site and compared tothe gun shop test (at 420). The gun string is then connected to thewireline or other carrier, and run into the well. At a safe depth, theswitches are checked (at 422). The gun string is then lowered to atarget depth and fired (at 424). The usage is recorded and exported tothe user interface device 50. The gun usage information is stored in agun usage record 518. Any un-fired guns are disarmed (at 426). A commentabout each gun is recorded in the user interface device 50 (also in therecord 518). A customer log 520 (FIG. 18) of the job is also maintained(at 430) for later viewing. Any failures in the gun string can betrouble shooted (at 432) at this point using the information stored inthe user interface device 50. Optionally, the customer log 520 can alsobe inputted to a service order (e.g., an invoice).

[0076] A job inventory record 522 (FIG. 18) in the user interface device50 is updated (at 428) and consolidated with a main inventory record524. The job inventory record 522 indicates what inventory was used inthe job. The main inventory record 524 keeps track of all inventory usedover some period of time (e.g., days, weeks, months, years).

[0077] Although various logs and records are shown as being stored inthe user interface device 50, other embodiments may store otherarrangements and combinations of logs and records. Note that the variouslogs and records can be presented on a display or printed for viewing.

[0078]FIG. 18 shows various components of the user interface device 50.The arrangement shown in FIG. 18 is provided as an example only, asother embodiments can include other arrangements. As noted in connectionwith FIG. 2, the user interface device 50 includes the display 56 andgraphical user interface screens 58 that are displayable in the display56. The user interface device 50 also includes a processor 500 that iscoupled to a storage 502. One or more applications are executable on theprocessor 500. One of the software applications is a tool controlapplication 530 that is used for controlling various types ofcommunications with a tool. For example, in one embodiment, the toolcontrol application 530 is responsible for communicating with the testerbox 60 (FIG. 2) for performing various test tasks. In other embodiments,the tool control application 530 is able to perform other control tasks.

[0079] The storage 502 stores various data, including the address log506, switch status log 508, inventory record 510, transfer record 512,loaded gun inventory record 514, gun identifier record 516, gun usagerecord 518, customer log 520, job inventory record 522, and maininventory record 524. Other information can also be stored in thestorage 502.

[0080] The processor 500 is also coupled to a wireless interface 504that is coupled to the wireless port 52. In one embodiment, the wirelessinterface 504 is an infrared interface for communicating infraredsignals. In other embodiments, the wireless interface 504 is capable ofperforming other types of a wireless communications, such as radiofrequency communications.

[0081] The user interface device 50 also includes an input/output (I/O)interface 526 for connection to various types of peripheral devicesthrough a port 528. One such peripheral device is the scanner module 51(FIG. 2).

[0082] In response to user selection in the GUI screens 58, the toolcontrol application 530 is invoked. The tool control application 530controls the presentation of screens and information in the screens 58,depending on what user selections are made. Also, in response to theuser selections, the tool control application 530 controls thetransmission of commands to an external device, such as the tester box60, through the wireless interface 504 and the port 52.

[0083] Referring to FIG. 19, a basic flow diagram of tasks performed bythe tool control application 530 in the user interface device 50 isillustrated. Depending on what user selection is made in the GUI screens58, the tool control application 530 performs one of the followingtasks: build (at 602) a new gun string record; open (at 604) an existinggun string record; or open (at 606) a test results file. Selection ofone of the tasks 602 and 604 is performed from the Guns menu 402 shownin FIG. 7. Opening a test file 606 is performed by selecting the Viewmenu item from the Test menu 410 (FIG. 9).

[0084] To build a new gun string record or to open an existing gunstring record, the tool control application 530 receives (at 608) theentry or editing of the gun identifier (GunStringID) and switchaddresses. Next, in response to user selection to begin a test, the toolcontrol application 530 begins the test sequence of the gun string (at610). From either 610 or 606, the tool control application 530 displaysthe test results (at 612). In response to user command, the tool controlapplication 530 is able to save the test results into a test resultsfile (at 614) or to save the gun string record (at 616) for lateraccess.

[0085] As further shown in FIG. 20, additional tasks are performed bythe tool control application 530 depending on which one of the tasks602, 604, and 606 has been selected by the user. To build a new gunstring record, the tool control application 530 passes empty gun fields(at 620) to the Gun String screen 408 shown in FIG. 8. The tool controlapplication 530 then causes (at 622) the Gun String screen 408 to bedisplayed.

[0086] If the selected task is to open an existing gun string record,then an existing gun file is selected (at 624) by the tool controlapplication 530. The gun fields from the gun file are loaded (at 626),and displayed in the Gun String screen (at 622).

[0087] If the selected task is to open a test file, then a test file isselected (at 628). The Test View screen is displayed (at 630) to presentthe test results, as shown in FIG. 14.

[0088]FIG. 21 shows other tasks performed by the tool controlapplication 530 in a tool test sequence. First, a detonator warning ispresented (at 640). This is shown in the dialog screen 412 in FIG. 10.The tool control application 530 then determines (at 642) if the userhas selected the OK or Cancel button. If the Cancel button is activated,then the test sequence is aborted (at 643). However, if the OK button isactivated, the tool control application 530 causes (at 644) the displayof the dialog screen 414 (FIG. 11) to instruct a user to align the userinterface device 50 with the test box 60. Next, the tool controlapplication 530 determines (at 646) if the OK button or the Cancelbutton has been activated. If the Cancel button has been activated, thenthe test sequence is aborted (at 647). However, if the OK button hasbeen activated, the tool control application 530 starts thecommunication sequence (at 648). The communication sequence involves thetransmission of commands to the tester box 60 to start testing thevarious components of the tool string, including the control units 14and switches 16 and 18. The tool control application 530 also determines(at 649) if the configuration in the gun string file or loaded guninventory record 514 (FIG. 18) matches the detected configuration. Thetool control application 530 marks a mismatch as being a failure.

[0089] The results of the test sequence are provided to the Test Viewscreen (at 650), with the results displayed. The Test View screen 430 isshown in FIG. 14.

[0090] In accordance with some embodiments, an additional or alternativefeature of the tool control application 530 is inventory control. Asshown in FIG. 22, the tool control application 530 receives (at 660) aninventory file to open. The inventory file includes the inventory record510. In response to usage, various logs and records can be updated (at662), including the customer log 520, transfer record 512, loaded guninventory record 514, gun usage record 518, job inventory record 522,and main inventory record 524. Usage is described above in connectionwith FIG. 17.

[0091] Another feature offered by the user interface device 50 is theability to scan inventory (at 668), such as bar codes of detonatordevices, control units, and switches. The scanned identifiers are savedin the inventory record 510 (at 670). Also, for correlation purposes,the distance of shots, in relation to casing collar locators, can alsobe input to the user interface device. Furthermore, informationcollected by a core sampling tool can be stored in the user interfacedevice. The core sampling tool collects information in the wellbore.After the core sampling tool is retrieved to the surface, the userinterface device communicates with the core sampling tool to receive andstore the collected information.

[0092] Instructions of the various software routines or modulesdiscussed herein (such as those in the user interface device 50 andtester box 62) are stored on one or more storage devices incorresponding devices and loaded for execution on corresponding controlunits or processors. The control units or processors includemicroprocessors, microcontrollers, processor modules or subsystems(including one or more microprocessors or microcontrollers), or othercontrol or computing devices. As used here, a “controller” refers tohardware, software, or a combination thereof. A “controller” can referto a single component or to plural components (whether software orhardware).

[0093] Data and instructions (of the various software routines ormodules) are stored in respective storage units, which are implementedas one or more machine-readable storage media. The storage media includedifferent forms of memory including semiconductor memory devices such asdynamic or static random access memories (DRAMs or SRAMs), erasable andprogrammable read-only memories (EPROMs), electrically erasable andprogrammable read-only memories (EEPROMs) and flash memories; magneticdisks such as fixed, floppy and removable disks; other magnetic mediaincluding tape; and optical media such as compact disks (CDs) or digitalvideo disks (DVDs).

[0094] The instructions of the software routines or modules are loadedor transported to each device in one of many different ways. Forexample, code segments including instructions stored on floppy disks, CDor DVD media, a hard disk, or transported through a network interfacecard, modem, or other interface device are loaded into the device orsystem and executed as corresponding software modules or layers. In theloading or transport process, data signals that are embodied in carrierwaves (transmitted over telephone lines, network lines, wireless links,cables, and the like) communicate the code segments, includinginstructions, to the device. Such carrier waves are in the form ofelectrical, optical, acoustical, electromagnetic, or other types ofsignals.

[0095] While the invention has been disclosed with respect to a limitednumber of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having the benefit ofthis disclosure, will appreciate numerous modifications and variationstherefrom. It is intended that the appended claims cover suchmodifications and variations as fall within the true spirit and scope ofthe invention.

What is claimed:
 1. A system, comprising: a user interface device; and atool selected from the group consisting of a well tool and a toolcontaining one or more explosive elements, the user interface deviceadapted to communicate wirelessly with the tool.
 2. The system of claim1, wherein the user interface device comprises a display to display agraphical user interface.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein thegraphical user interface comprises one or more graphical elementsselectable to control the tool.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein theuser interface device comprises a personal digital assistant.
 5. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the user interface device comprises aninfrared transceiver adapted to communicate infrared signals.
 6. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the user interface device is adapted to senda command to the tool to perform a test of the tool.
 7. The system ofclaim 6, wherein the user interface device comprises a display to show aresult of the test.
 8. The system of claim 6, wherein the tool comprisesplural control units, the user interface device adapted to send commandsto the tool to successively test the plural control units.
 9. The systemof claim 8, wherein the tool comprises a string of elements and a testsystem coupled to the string of elements, the test system having a portadapted to communicate wirelessly with the user interface device.
 10. Anapparatus for testing a tool, comprising: a user interface device; and atest system adapted to be coupled to the tool, the user interface deviceadapted to communicate wirelessly with the test system, the userinterface device adapted to send commands to the test system for testingthe tool.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the user interfacedevice comprises a graphical user interface.
 12. The apparatus of claim11, wherein the graphical user interface comprises one or more controlelements selectable to activate testing of the tool.
 13. The apparatusof claim 12, wherein the tool comprises plural control units, the userinterface device adapted to send commands to sequentially test theplural control units.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein thegraphical user interface is adapted to display acquired informationpertaining to each of the control units.
 15. The apparatus of claim 12,wherein the graphical user interface is adapted to display informationpertaining to control units for explosive devices.
 16. The apparatus ofclaim 10, wherein the test system comprises a microcontroller responsiveto commands from the user interface device.
 17. The apparatus of claim16, wherein the microcontroller is adapted to send signals to the toolin response to the commands from the user interface device.
 18. Theapparatus of claim 17, wherein the test system further comprises acurrent limiting device adapted to limit an amount of current deliveredto the tool to allow safe use with explosive devices in the tool. 19.The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the test system further comprises asecond, redundant current limiting device.
 20. The apparatus of claim18, wherein the test system further comprises a switch to couple outputcurrent from the current limiting device to the tool, the switch adaptedto be operated by the microcontroller.
 21. The apparatus of claim 20,wherein the microcontroller checks for a current level to be below apredefined limit before closing the switch.
 22. The apparatus of claim18, wherein the test system further comprises a fuse placed in a currentpath to the tool.
 23. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the test systemfurther comprises a current detector to detect current from the tool,the microcontroller adapted to use an output of the current detector todetermine for presence of components in the tool.
 24. The apparatus ofclaim 23, wherein the microcontroller is adapted to further use theoutput of the current detector to determine if a component of the toolhas failed.
 25. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the test systemfurther comprises a current detector to detect current from the tool,the microcontroller adapted to use an output of the current detector todetermine if a component in the tool has failed.
 26. The apparatus ofclaim 10, wherein the user interface device is adapted to check thatcommunications with components of the tool is functional.
 27. Theapparatus of claim 26, wherein the user interface device is adapted toverify addresses of the components in the tool.
 28. A method comprising:providing a user interface device; and wirelessly communicating with atool using the user interface device, the tool selected from the groupconsisting of a well tool and a tool containing one or more explosiveelements.
 29. The method of claim 28, further comprising accepting userselection of an item in a graphical user interface of the user interfacedevice to perform a task associated with the tool.
 30. The method ofclaim 29, further comprising displaying a status of the tool in thegraphical user interface.
 31. The method of claim 30, wherein displayingthe status comprises displaying status of plural devices in the tool.32. The method of claim 30, wherein displaying the status comprisesdisplaying a status of control units for explosive devices.
 33. Themethod of claim 28, further comprising sending a command to the tool totest the tool.
 34. The method of claim 28, further comprising receivingidentifiers of components for use in the tool.
 35. The method of claim34, wherein receiving the identifiers comprises scanning bar codes ofthe components.
 36. The method of claim 35, wherein scanning the barcodes comprises using a scanner module coupled to the user interfacedevice.
 37. The method of claim 35, wherein the components comprisescontrol units, the method further comprising assigning the bar codes asaddresses of the control units.
 38. The method of claim 34, whereinreceiving the identifiers comprises receiving the identifiers using aradio frequency transceiver.
 39. The method of claim 28, furthercomprising encapsulating the user interface device in a cover adapted toreduce discharge of an electrical impulse.
 40. The method of claim 28,further comprising providing a security feature in the user interfacedevice to prevent unauthorized access of the user interface device, thesecurity feature comprising one of a field to accept a password and acomponent to interact with a smart card.
 41. The method of claim 28,further comprising storing information relating to a distance between acasing collar locator and one or more shots of the tool.
 42. The methodof claim 28, wherein the tool comprises a core sampling tool, the methodfurther comprising storing information collected by the core samplingtool in the user interface device.
 43. A method of testing a tool,comprising: providing a user interface device having graphical userinterface items; receiving user selection of one or more of thegraphical user interface items; and sending commands to the tool to testthe tool in response to user selection of the one or more of thegraphical user interface items.
 44. The method of claim 43, whereinsending the commands comprises sending commands from a test system tothe tool.
 45. The method of claim 44, further comprising communicatingwirelessly between the user interface device and the test system. 46.The method of claim 43, wherein providing the user interface devicecomprises providing a personal digital assistant.
 47. A method ofinventory control, comprising: receiving, in a user interface device,identifiers of inventory components of a tool, the tool selected formthe group consisting of a well tool and a tool containing one or moreexplosive components; storing information pertaining to the inventorycomponents; and updating the information based on usage.
 48. The methodof claim 47, wherein receiving the identifiers comprises using a scannermodule to receive the identifiers.
 49. The method of claim 47, whereinreceiving the identifiers comprises receiving identifiers of componentsof an explosive tool.
 50. The method of claim 49, wherein receiving theidentifiers comprises receiving identifiers of control units andswitches.
 51. An article of comprising at least one storage mediumcontaining instructions that when executed cause a system to: receiveuser selection for testing a tool; send one or more commands over awireless link to a device in response to the user selection for testingthe tool; and receive test results over the wireless link.
 52. Thearticle of claim 51, wherein the instructions when executed cause thesystem to display the test results.
 53. The article of claim 51, whereinthe instructions when executed cause the system to present a graphicaluser interface items selectable by a user.
 54. The article of claim 53,wherein the instructions when executed cause the system to display thetest results in the graphical user interface.
 55. The article of claim54, wherein the instructions when executed cause the system to store thetest results, the test results indicating pass/fail status of controlunits and switches in the tool.
 56. A test system for testing a tool,comprising: a wireless interface adapted to receive wireless signals; acontroller responsive to the wireless signals to send coded signals tothe tool for testing the tool; and a detector adapted to detect a statusof one or more components of the tool.
 57. The test system of claim 56,wherein the detector comprises a current detector adapted to detect alevel of electrical current.
 58. The test system of claim 56, furthercomprising one or more current limiting devices adapted to limit anamount of current provided to the tool.
 59. The test system of claim 56,further comprising one or more current limiting devices adapted to limitan amount of current provided to the tool to allow safe use withexplosive devices in the tool.
 60. The test system of claim 56, furthercomprising a fuse in a current path to the tool.
 61. The test system ofclaim 56, wherein the detector is adapted to detect for at least one ofthe following failures: mis-wiring of a components in the tool; a shortin the tool; and the presence of a detonator in the tool.